Quiz: How low can your VOCs go?

The most important environmental- and health-related issue facing us when embarking on a house-painting project is the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls the off-gassing from chemicals in our paints and sealants one of the top five health hazards we face. So how can you avoid bringing those poisons into your home? Take this quiz to learn more about low-VOC paints!

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Question 1 of 10

True or False: Zero-VOC paints are nontoxic.

true

false

Even zero-VOC coatings can still contain toxic ingredients that aren't prohibited by government regulations.

Question 2 of 10

Which of these toxic ingredients are paint companies required to list?

acetone

formaldehyde

While it's a serious toxin, acetone is not a VOC, so companies aren't yet required to list it (despite the flu symptoms it can cause). However, they are required to list formaldehyde.

both of the above

Question 3 of 10

Which of these is NOT an effect of VOC off-gassing?

eye irritation

cancer

none of the above

VOC off-gassing can cause nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, respiratory problems and heart, lung or kidney damage. It can even lead to cancer.

Question 4 of 10

Of the 176 million pounds of VOC emissions generated in California, about how much comes from paint?

10 percent

25 percent

67 percent

More than two-thirds of the 176 million pounds of VOC emissions generated in California come from paints and coatings, according to the California Air Resources Board.

Question 5 of 10

VOCs are used as a solvent in oil-based paint to keep the other ingredients dissolved. How much of the paint's ingredients do VOCs usually make up?

5 to 10 percent

40 to 60 percent

In a typical oil-based paint, the VOCs in its solvent make up 40 to 60 percent of the total volume.

65 to 80 percent

Question 6 of 10

Water-based paints use water as the main solvent, but they still contain about what percentage of VOCs?

3 to 5 percent

5 to 10 percent

Water-based paints, while safer, still generally contain about 5 to 10 percent VOCs.

15 to 20 percent

Question 7 of 10

So-called zero-VOC paints are still allowed to contain what amount of VOCs per liter?

1 gram

5 grams

According to the EPA, a paint must contain 5 grams per liter or less of VOCs to earn the label of "zero-VOC."

15 grams

Question 8 of 10

How many grams of VOCs are low-VOC paints allowed to contain per liter?

50 grams

200 grams

According to the EPA, a paint must contain 200 grams per liter or less of VOCs to qualify as low-VOC.

300 grams

Question 9 of 10

For a varnish to be considered low-VOC, how many grams of VOCs can it contain per liter?

50 grams

200 grams

300 grams

According to the EPA, varnishes must contain 300 grams per liter or less of VOCs to qualify as low-VOC.

Question 10 of 10

If a paint earns the "Green Seal," how many grams of VOCs does it contain per liter?

5 to 10 grams

20 to 50 grams

50 to 150 grams

The "Green Seal" means that a flat-sheen paint contains less than 50 grams per liter, while non-flat paints can go as high as 150 grams per liter.